Wal-Mart Stores Inc. wants its suppliers to reduce 20 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions by the end of 2015.

The world’s largest retailer’s push goes beyond its efforts to date to reduce its own emissions by designing energy-efficient stores and pursuing alternative fuels for its truck fleet.

The goal is equivalent to taking 3.8 million cars off the road for a year, the company said.

Wal-Mart is collaborating with the Environmental Defense Fund and other environmental experts to measure reduction.

Wal-Mart CEO and President Mike Duke said the company needs to push for greater efficiency to maintain a competitive edge as it expands globally amid higher energy costs. The 20 million metric tons represents one and a half times the company’s estimated global carbon footprint growth as it expands over the next five years.

“To me, this is a big step forward and a big deal,” said Dan Lashof, climate center director at The Natural Resources Defense Council.

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